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Rikka Altland

rikkaaltland

Rikka Altland is the Editor-in-Chief of 9to5Toys. Having joined the team at the beginning of 2017, over the past six years she has gone on to specialize in being a mainstay in the LEGO news and rumors scene while also reviewing the latest iPhone accessories, earbuds, and home networking gear. Contact it directly at rikka@9to5mac.com for tips and pitches.

Connect with Rikka Altland

9to5Toys Daily: April 1, 2022 – iPad mini 6 $459, DJI Mavic 3 drone $150 off, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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Greenworks launches one of its electric riding mower as part of Ultra Pro 60V tool lineup

Greenworks is kicking off spring by showcasing two all-new releases that arrive in its Ultra Pro 60V outdoor electric tool lineup. Most notably delivering one of the brand’s very first riding mower, there’s also a refreshed chainsaw joining the brand’s popular arsenal of gas- and oil-free tools. Both are available exclusively from Tractor Supply Co and are detailed below the jump.

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LEGO April 2022 buyers’ guide: Check out the new BttF DeLorean, Jurassic Park sets, more

Buy now

April has officially arrived, and with it comes a selection of the latest LEGO kits. This time around there aren’t quite as many all-new creations, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find some of the year’s most exciting builds. Most notably delivering the new 1,800-piece Back to the Future DeLorean, among other kits from the Star Wars universe, everything available now and dropping later in the month is detailed in our LEGO April 2022 buyers’ guide below.

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Celebrate World Backup Day with our top NAS recommendations, tips, and tricks

It’s World Backup Day and as per tradition here at 9to5Toys, we’re walking you through all of the best ways to get in on routine backups or improve your data storage regimen. If 2022 is finally the year you’re looking to finally set up a NAS, and it should be, we’re taking a look at what three different models from Synology bring to the table. Head below for all of our World Backup Day NAS recommendations, tips, and tricks.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 31, 2022 – World Backup Day deals, prev-gen. iPad Pros, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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Tested: SanDisk G-RAID 2 Thunderbolt 3 Drive solves storage woes with upgradeable HDDs

Buy now

With World Backup Day around the corner, we’re taking a look at one of the more unique ways to improve your storage setup. Designed with Apple setups in mind, SanDisk’s G-RAID 2 Desktop Drive arrives with plenty of novel features that start with onboard Thunderbolt 3 connectivity and carry over to user-replaceable hard drives. But do those premium features make the steep price tag worth it? Our latest Tested with 9to5Toys review takes a closer look.

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Bitty Boomers Star Wars Bluetooth Speakers on sale from $14: R2, Grogu, Darth Vader, more

Reg. $20/From $14

May the 4th might still be over a month away, but Amazon is already gearing up to celebrate a galaxy far, far away by rolling out a series of Star Wars Bitty Boomers discounts. Starting at $13.99 each, today’s deals are all down from the usual $20 price tags depending on the model and ship free for Prime members or in orders over $25. Ranging from styles featuring iconic characters from Darth Vader to Grogu and Mando, these compact Bitty Boomers speakers all rock unique designs inspired by Star Wars icons. Each one packs 4-hour battery life and Bluetooth 5 capabilities while resting within the palm of your hand. While it’s not going to replace one of those room-filling speakers, I’ve been using one of these for more casual listening and am surprised by just how loud the Grogu one I have can get without distorting the audio. Head below for a full rundown of the discounts.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 30, 2022 – Apple MagSafe Leather Wallet, Galaxy S21 series, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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Review: LEGO’s latest Star Wars helmets are a mixed bag ranging from must-haves to misses

Marking for the latest additions to the Star Wars buildable helmet series, the LEGO Group dropped three new builds earlier in the month to recreate the likeness of iconic characters both new and old. Now after getting our hands on the sets and stacking up the nearly 2,000 combined bricks, we’re seeing which ones are worth your cash and which should just be passed over.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 29, 2022 – iPad Air 4 $149 off, Google Nest Hub bundles, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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Review: Anycubic’s new Kobra/Max are its most affordable and feature-packed 3D printers yet

ANYCUBIC Kobra Max 3D Printer Buy now

Today, Anycubic is revealing two new options into its arsenal of FDM 3D printers. Entering as an entirely new series of machines, the just-released Anycubic Kobra and Kobra Max arrive at two different price points with features to match. Now after going hands-on with them, we’re highlighting why inclusions like auto-leveling heated beds, touchscreen displays, and an integrated direct extruder make these some of the best options on the market.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 28, 2022 – M1 MacBook Pro $199 off, iPad Smart Keyboard Folio, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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To Infinity and Beyond: LEGO reveals three upcoming Lightyear sets with all-new minifigures

Buy now

Update: Now available for purchase.

As Disney gears up to release the new animated Lightyear film in theaters this summer, the LEGO Group is ready to show off its tie-in kits to the flick. Delivering three builds from the upcoming release, there’s a series of exclusive minifigures to complement the exciting new builds.

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Save $180 on a cellular Apple Watch Series 6 following discount to $349

Reg. $529/$349

Walmart is now offering the Apple Watch Series 6 GPS + Cellular 44mm PRODUCT(RED) for $349 shipped. Normally fetching $529, this is the best we’ve seen this year on a new condition model at $180 off. Even with the shiny new Series 7 models now available, going with Apple Watch Series 6 doesn’t mean you’re going to be missing out on all too much. Aside from the main improvements of a refreshed case and larger screen, the Series 6 and 7 share the same processor alongside a matching array of blood oxygen, heart rate, and other fitness sensors. Both run watchOS 8, too! So if your spring fitness regimen isn’t calling for the latest and greatest, these previous-generation models are worth a look.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 25, 2022 – Apple’s latest 10.2-inch iPad $50 off, Logitech Crayon, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your 

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LEGO’s new Classic 90 Years of Play set celebrates Space, Bionicle, and even Fabuland

Today, the LEGO Group is revealing the first of its 90th anniversary celebration plans with a new Classic set. Drawing inspiration from the past themes that have made LEGO as popular as it is today, the new Classic 90 Years of Play set arrives with a number of miniature creations based on the likes of Bionic, Classic Space, Castle, Pirates, and even Fabuland.

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World Backup Day deals arrive early with new lows on WD NAS-grade hard drives from $47

Save $100/From $47

World Backup Day is less than a week away, and if you’re looking to get ahead of all the data retention best practice action next week, Amazon is rolling out a series of discounts across WD’s lineup of NAS-grade internal hard drives at up to $100 off. Shipping is free across the board. Ranging from its best-in-class Red series drives made ideally for use in Synology and other NAS to enterprise offerings and more, everything in today’s sale is either sitting at the best price to date overall or the lowest of 2022 so far, all starting at $47. We’ve broken down the entire list of hard drive discounts below, which you can shop before World Backup Day arrives with some more consumer-level deals.

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Here’s our first look at the upcoming LEGO Republic Fighter Tank and its 187th legion Clones

Just after seeing three all new Star Wars Dioramas debut today, we’re getting a first look at one of the more interesting LEGO sets due out this spring. Marking yet another new Clone Wars creation for 2022, the new LEGO Republic Fighter Tank will be arriving later in the year with three all-new 187th legion Clone Troopers.

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Samsung’s 2022 Frame TVs now available for pre-order with AirPlay 2, matte screens, more

Black Friday 4K Smart TV The Frame April 11/Pre-order

After originally being revealed back at CES in January, Samsung’s new lineup of Frame 2022 TVs are finally available for pre-order. Arriving with all of the staples the series has rocked in the past like 4K HDR panels, AirPlay 2, and the unique picture frame mode, the refreshed models now pack improvements like an anti-reflective matte display finish and more. Now available for pre-order, all of the details are down below.

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adidas launches extra 20% off spring fitness sale with UltraBoosts, NMDs, workout wear, more

44% off/Extra 20%

Not to be outdone by the likes of Nike, adidas is launching its own spring fitness sale today. Taking an extra 20% off a selection of its signature workout apparel, iconic running shoes, and other gear when code EXTRA20 has been applied at checkout, shipping is free for Creator Club Members (free to sign-up). Just in time to outfit your wardrobe with some new workout wear, everything in today’s sale is already marked down ahead of the additional savings. This delivers some of the best prices to date and lowest in months on a wide range of popular adidas gear, which we’ve highlighted down below.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 24, 2022 – 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro $149 off, Twelve South gear, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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LEGO officially unveils three new Star Wars dioramas: Dagobah, Trash Compactor, more

April 26/Pre-order

After originally being revealed a bit early, today the LEGO Group is officially showcasing three new additions to its Star Wars 2022 lineup. Arriving as the first of these new 18+ dioramas, each one features an iconic quote from the Original Trilogy alongside more display-worthy builds. Including a Dagobah Jedi Training set, Trash Compactor vignette, and micro-scale Trench Run, all three LEGO kits are now available for pre-order.

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Sony LinkBuds review: Unique hardware audio transparency that outclasses AirPods Pro

Buy now

Sony recently launched its new LinkBuds, a pair of unique true wireless earbuds that offer a more novel take on your everyday listening. Sporting figure eight designs, these buds have a distinctive ring-shaped driver that allows allows you to still hear ambient audio. Giving Apple’s best-in-class Transparency mode a run for its money, we go hands-on with Sony’s latest to see if they’re worth the $178 price tag.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 23, 2022 – M1 iMac $150 off, Galaxy S22 low, Nomad sale, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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LEGO Avatar sets are officially in the works, four kits featuring the Na’vi slated to release this fall

Earlier in the year, we reported on a new LEGO theme code named Coconut. Originally thought to be the return of Indiana Jones sets, 9to5Toys can report that the wave of creations will instead be focused around another piece of Disney IP. Traveling to the world of Pandora, the LEGO Group is slated to officially be releasing a wave of sets based around Avatar and its upcoming sequel film.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 22, 2022 – Anker Gold Box sale from $26, AirTags $10 off, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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Here’s the very first look at LEGO’s new Dagobah Jedi Training and Trench Run sets

Just after confirmation that a new Death Star Trash Compactor set would be arriving, we’re now getting a first look at another one of the new 18+ LEGO Star Wars sets. Arriving as the first of these dioramas inspired by the Original Trilogy, today we can exclusively share the new LEGO Dagobah Jedi Training set alongside the upcoming Death Star Trench Run.

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Supreme readies latest North Face collaboration ahead of spring collection drop

Supreme’s spring collection has slowly been dropping to buyers this month, and now the latest reveals are joining the lineup thanks to one of its more popular collaborations. This time around, the North Face is returning with a whole new selection of cold weather gear alongside other fresh Supreme accessories in partnership with the likes of Airstream, NERF, and other iconic brands.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 21, 2022 – iPad Air 5 discount, Apple Pencil 2 $25 off, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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LEGO Kenobi sets joining the Star Wars 2022 summer lineup alongside Andor builds and more

Since our last report back in February, a lot has changed on what we can expect from the LEGO Star Wars summer 2022 lineup. New information has arrived on previously-unconfirmed sets, as well as intel that shifts around some of the kits in the lineup we were aware of. Ranging from the first LEGO Kenobi kits to builds from Andor and more, all of the latest details are down below.

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Apple’s all-new iPad Air 5 sees launch day Amazon discounts at $30 off

Launch deal/$570

Apple’s all-new addition to its iPadOS lineup is officially on sale today ahead going up for pre-order last week. If you haven’t already locked in your order or had one show up at your door, Amazon is rolling out a launch day discount. Taking $30 off the usual $599 price tag, you can bring home the iPad Air 5 Wi-Fi 64GB in Starlight for $569 shipped. You can also save $29 on 256GB models. This is marking the second-best price in any case and a rare chance to save.

Apple’s new iPad Air 5 arrives in the same 10.9-inch form-factor as we saw last time around, with some notable internal improvements to justify the refresh. Now powered by Apple Silicon for the first time, there’s an M1 chip with Neural Engine at the center of the experience. Its 12MP Ultra Wide front camera comes backed by Center Stage support, and the 10.9-inch display rocks True Tone, P3 wide color support, and an antireflective coating. Staples from last time like Touch ID in the power button and Apple Pencil integration are onboard, as well. Learn more about iPad Air 5 over in our coverage at 9to5Mac. Then go check out all of the pre-order discounts below.

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LEGO Death Star Trash Compactor diorama confirmed ahead of next week’s reveal

In something of a more interesting reveal for a new LEGO Star Wars sets, we’re now getting word from Walmart that the latest diorama kit will be revealed next week. Making a debut at the retailer’s Collector Con showcase, set number 75329 will arrive as the first of the new LEGO Star Wars quote sets depicting the iconic Death Star Trash Compactor.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 17, 2022 – Save on Apple Watch Series 7, M1 Pro MacBooks, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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LEGO heads ‘Back to the Future’ with new 1,800-piece Creator DeLorean set

Coming soon

Today, we’re getting the first official look at the latest addition to the LEGO Group’s stable of brick-built rides. Delivering an even more iconic vehicle to the Creator series than we’ve seen in the past, the new LEGO 1,800-piece DeLorean comes to us straight from Back to the Future with all of the signature details you expect.

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Tested: Twelve South’s refreshed Backpack shelf perfectly complements Apple’s M1 iMac

Buy now

Twelve South has a habit of improving the experience offered by Apple’s own devices with its series of popular accessories. The latest of these just launched as the new Backpack for iMac, this time updated to complement the M1 version of desktop Mac. Delivering an aluminum shelf to rest hubs and other gear on out of sight behind your machine, our latest Tested with 9to5Toys looks at just how valuable the add-on really is.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 16, 2022 – Anker iPhone accessories, Galaxy Z Fold 3 $349 off, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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Elgato refreshes Stream Deck MK.2 with new white coat of paint, pre-order now

Coming soon/Pre-order

Just after seeing Elgato release its new Key Light Mini last month, the brand is now back to showcase yet another addition to its arsenal of workstation accessories. This time around opting to apply a fresh coat of paint to one of its most popular options, the Stream Deck MK.2, and its 15-key LCD macro features, has been refreshed with a white design.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 15, 2022 – Apple Magic Keyboards $239, AirPods Max $100 off, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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Polk launches compact new MagniFi Mini AX sound bar with AirPlay 2 and Dolby Atmos

Buy now

Today, Polk Audio is debuting its latest home theater upgrade with one of the brand’s most compact builds to date. Arriving with a design ideal for smaller setups, the new Polk MagniFi Mini AX sound bar doesn’t skimp out on premium features thanks to the inclusion of AirPlay 2 support, Dolby Atmos audio, and DTS:X surround sound certification.

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Lenovo’s Duet 5 OLED Chromebook packs a detachable keyboard at new low of $350

Save $80/$350

Amazon currently offers the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 5 Chromebook for $349.99 shipped. Marking a new all-time low, this is down from the usual $430 price tag in order to beat our previous mention by $50. This is also only the third discount to date, as well. This time around, Lenovo’s latest Chromebook is headlined by a 13.3-inch 1080p OLED display which pairs with its hybrid, detachable keyboard design. Everything comes powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 7c processor, 128GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. Onboard Wi-Fi 6 support pairs with dual USB-C ports to round out the portable workstation. You can get some additional insight in our launch coverage and then head below for more.

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LEGO Dark Trooper Attack review: Not quite a battle pack, but an army builder nonetheless 

Buy now

As we work our way through the new LEGO Star Wars sets for March, today we’re taking a hands-on look at the new Dark Trooper Attack set. Entering as the latest creations based around The Mandalorian, the new build stacks up to over 165 pieces and delivers one of the more unique builds as of late from a galaxy far, far away. But does that mean it’s worth the $30 price tag? Let’s check it out.

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9to5Toys Daily: March 14, 2022 – Save on M1 Pro MacBooks, iPhone 12/mini, more

Listen to a recap of the best deals and news from 9to5Toys each day at noon. 9to5Toys Daily is available on iTunes and Apple PodcastsGoogle Play, or through our dedicated RSS feed. New episodes of 9to5Toys Daily are recorded every weekday. Subscribe to our podcast in iTunes/Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast player to guarantee new episodes are delivered as soon as they are available.

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